Peterborough Jr. A Lakers Hire Homegrown Talent As New Assistant Coach

The Peterborough Jr. A Lakers have hired Dustin Dunn as the team’s new assistant coach, taking over the role of Turner Evans, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers

Dunn joins returning staff such as head coach Robert Hope and assistants Jeff Ralph, Curtis Conley and Taylor Evans.

Turner stepped away from coaching to focus on his young family as his family recently welcomed their third child, alongside work and lacrosse commitments.

The Peterborough native is a product of the hometown’s minor lacrosse system, including a five-year career with the Jr. A Lakers with a Minto Cup victory in 2006 and a selection to the Jr A All-Star team in 2009. His collegiate career consisted of NCAA’s SUNY Potsdam Bears and in CUFLA with the Brock University Badgers.

His professional career saw him drafted by the National Lacrosse League’s Buffalo Bandits and played for the Toronto Rock. He also played in the Major Series Lacrosse with the Brooklin L.C. and Nanaimo Timbermen in the Western Lacrosse League.

Dunn returned to the Peterborough lacrosse scene in 2019, coaching the U13 Peterborough minor lacrosse team to a provincial bronze medal. Most recently, he led the U17 Clarington Green Gaels to an ‘A’ gold medal at the 2024 Ontario Summer Games, with a roster of half of its players from Peterborough due to lacking a local team in that age group. Lacrosse Canada named Dunn their technical/national development teams coordinator earlier this year.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Lakers as an assistant coach,” said Dunn. “This organization and this city mean so much to me. I grew up in this system, won a Minto Cup here, and now I get to help guide the next generation of Jr A Lakers. It’s an honour to work alongside this coaching staff and contribute to the team’s success.”

“Dustin is a fantastic addition to our staff,” said Hope. “His experience as a player at the highest levels and his proven track record as a coach make him a perfect fit for this team. He understands what it takes to win in Peterborough and I’m confident he’ll bring a fresh perspective and energy to our group.”

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